Bangladesh, Sept. 6 -- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to convene its 80th session in New York this month, bringing together world leaders for the annual high-level General Debate. Yet, one of the notable absences from the prestigious podium this year will be Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the revised provisional list of speakers released by the UN, Modi will not deliver Indias address. Instead, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the country on September 27.

This shift comes at a delicate moment in Indias foreign policy and economic landscape, particularly as relations with the United States are being tested by a new wave of protectionist tariffs from the Trump administration. While...